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Release Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018Category: NationalChris DanielsenDirector of Public RelationsNational Federation of the Blind(410) 659-9314, extension 2330(410) 262-1281 (Cell)cdanielsen@nfb.orgThe National Federation of the Blind Applauds the Introduction of Legislation Implementing the Marrakesh TreatyTreaty will Expand Availability of Accessible Books for Blind and Print Disabled Americans

“The National Federation of the Blind was a principal leader in the development and negotiation of the Marrakesh Treaty,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “By allowing the worldwide production and exchange of accessible books, the treaty will dramatically increase the availability of knowledge to blind people everywhere. We urge both houses of Congress to swiftly pass this legislation, and in doing so, unlock the doors to expanded literacy for millions of blind Americans.”

The legislation will make modifications to United States copyright law to ensure that it fully complies with the terms of the treaty. These modifications are supported by publishing, library, and disability organizations.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

The first time I attended college in 2001, a time I lovingly refer to as College 1.0, I was studying computer science. This required a decent level of mathematics, and the ability to gather information from, and create, certain technical diagrams. I was participating in a National Science Foundation grant to study methods of effectively teaching these concepts to blind students. We were trying a few different techniques to see how they stacked up against what other blind people had used before. One of the tools we used was a tactile drawing board: a wooden board with a rubber surface that made raised line drawings on specialized plastic sheets. This drawing board worked but had a few limitations. Most notably the cost of the plastic sheets, which were about a dollar a piece. The drawings also weren’t very effective once removed from the board. The lines tended to lose their height and were less detectable after just a short time. This recipe didn’t make it easy to have a diagram drawn and referenced later. If you were lucky, you might be able to figure out what it was supposed to be. If you weren’t, and you frequently weren’t, you just wrote it off as a new Dadaistic creation and hoped that question wasn’t on the test.

Fast forward about twelve years where a new sensation (see what I did there?) in portable, on-demand tactile graphics enters the scene. The Sensational Blackboard, created by Ann Cunningham, offers the ability to create raised line drawings on regular paper, substantially reducing the cost of utilization, and making it easier for someone to experiment without fear of wasting money.

I didn’t have a specific need to use the Sensational Blackboard in my own education, even though I was now in College 2.0, but I did find it extremely useful in helping my partner and a friend of ours get their amateur radio licenses.

At the time, all three of us were living in Lincoln, Nebraska where the local amateur radio club held licensing classes a few times a year. Karen and Kayde decided to take the first class in the fall and obtain their Technician class licenses. As part of learning about amateur radio, you are taught many things including basic electrical theory (how not to electrocute yourself), the differences between series and parallel circuits (series: when one Christmas light goes out, they all do), what various types of antennas look like, and other principles that are often illustrated visually. While some of these items have real-world representation that is easy to demonstrate in place of a diagram, a small vertical magnet mount antenna for example, others, such as a directional antenna for world-wide communications (some of which are the length of a small bus) are not so readily available for examination.

To help demonstrate some of these concepts, I attended the class with Karen and Kayde, and used the Sensational Blackboard to draw relevant items the instructor would show on the projector. A good example is the visual aid typically used to demonstrate Ohm’s law. Ohm’s law states that voltage is equal to current times resistance (E=IR), and in typical algebraic fashion we can, given any two values, calculate the third. The visual aid most instructors use to demonstrate this formula is a circle with a line drawn horizontally across the middle, and another line drawn vertically from the center of the horizontal line to the outer edge of the circle, dividing the circle into three sections. The letter E (representing voltage) is placed in the center of the top of the circle, and the letters I (current) and R (resistance) are placed in the bottom two sections. The idea is, by covering the value you don’t have, you are easily reminded how to treat the other two. Letters next to each other (I and R) are multiplied and vertically aligned values are divided. For visual learners, it’s an effective tool to remember the formula. For those of us who skipped dinner, it’s a good reminder that we want a pizza.

In talking with Karen and Kayde, they both felt that having immediate tactile access to the material being presented visually helped significantly in their understanding of the material. In an average class, I probably drew five diagrams for each student (and discarded at least three because of errors). Without the Sensational Blackboard, this instant creation of diagrams would have been a costly venture. Additionally, because of the way the Blackboard produces its tactile drawings, they were able to save the produced diagrams for later reference.

You can purchase the Sensational Blackboard from the National Federation of the Blind’s Independence Market Online, by email, or call (410) 659-9314, extension 2216.

My mom, who was also blind, had been a teacher before I was born. She understood child development and was determined that I would participate in the same activities my sighted peers were doing, even if that meant I did them slightly differently. Sometimes it also meant that she, as the blind parent, also had to modify activities. This included art, and there was never a shortage of crayons in my house. I distinctly remember a time when I decided the basic box of eight crayons was simply not advanced enough for my four-year-old artistic needs and begged my parents for a bucket that must have contained at least 120 crayons. My parents purchased the bucket and also undertook the task of putting Braille labels on each crayon. This helped me learn my basic colors and gave me an understanding of how many hues there really are in the world and their relationships to each other.

I would have been happy sitting at the table scribbling away on blank paper, but my mom wanted to make sure I was developing the same fine motor skills other kids by learning to color inside the lines. Unfortunately, we didn’t know about many accessible coloring books, and the ones she could find were prohibitively expensive. What she did have was a large collection of cookie cutters. At some point she realized that she could give me the bag of cookie cutters, I could place one on the paper, and color inside that. This kind of worked, except I had a hard time keeping the shape still while I was coloring it in. She also wasn’t nuts about the fact that I was getting color on the cookie cutter as well as the paper, since that meant they weren’t very good for cutting out cookies unless you wanted an aftertaste of Crayola in every bite.

Ultimately, she found a solution. She would take a towel and fold it so it was reasonably thick, place a piece of paper on top of the towel, and put the cookie cutter on top of the paper. She would then hold the cookie cutter still with one hand, and punch holes around the outside of the shape with a stylus. When the cookie cutter was removed the holes in the paper made an outline of the shape that I could color in.

Thanks to advancements in technology, creating tactile graphics is much easier than it was when I was growing up. Even so, I think it is important to remember that accessibility doesn’t have to be done using fancy or specialized tools. Sometimes it means using things you already have in your house to make it possible for your child to color inside the lines.

Out of love, my parents clothed me. Out of love, they kept me safe. Out of love, they praised me for jobs well done. Out of love, they encouraged me to achieve all of my dreams.

Also out of love, my parents scolded me. Out of love, they expected me to do my share of the chores. Out of love, they said over and over things like “Look toward people when you talk to them. Don’t poke at your eyes. Hold your head up high and stand up straight. Shake hands when you meet someone; have a firm handshake, look toward the person, and smile.” Out of love, they said things like, “No, you cannot wear your oldest blue jeans to church. No, you made a commitment, so you cannot back out on it and go somewhere else that might be more fun. Yes, you have to do your homework. No, being blind does not mean you do not have to clean your room!”

As a child, I loved my parents’ praise. I loved when they kept me safe, and I loved their encouragement. As an adult, however, I love even more the times they pushed me—the times they had high expectations for me and the countless things they taught me that make it possible now for me to be a parent of my own children.

Out of love, I try to protect my children. Out of love, I tell them when I am proud of things they do. Out of love, I enjoy giving them things they want. But also out of love, I say things like, “Austin, please comb your hair! Oriana, please use your cane. Elizabeth, please feel the Braille with your fingers; you should not read it with your eyes.” This is not always easy. Often I feel like a broken record, and I wonder if anything I say will truly sink in. But then I think of my own parents and know that I can and should be both a soft-hearted, kind mom, and a “mean” mom out of love.

When nearly five hundred blind Americans travel to Capitol Hill with our long white canes in hand and a call to increase the independence of blind people nationwide, the United States Congress knows that the members of the National Federation of the Blind have mobilized for security, equality, and opportunity. We are the National Federation of the Blind, and we climb the Hill annually during our Washington Seminar to meet and speak to our members of Congress about our legislative agenda. The threat of a government shutdown and unusually cold temperatures in the District of Columbia did not dampen our resolve to improve the lives of blind Americans.

Our 2018 legislative agenda connects our spirit of independence to access to information. Approximately 70 percent of blind Americans are unemployed or underemployed. We cannot compete with our sighted peers if our education is delayed by inaccessible instructional materials, and we cannot increase our ability to work independently when accessible technology for the blind is unaffordable. Our Federation leaders delivered these powerful talking points for us to use in our legislative appointments and gave us tips and tools of etiquette when meeting with a member of Congress or a staffer.

With talking points in mind and fact sheets in hand, I met the Illinois team for my first congressional appointment. Our team leader strategized with us on how to approach the Congressman regarding our agenda items and asked me, the newbie to Washington Seminar, which item I would like to speak about. I volunteered to talk about the Marrakesh Treaty because I believed that I had a compelling story about the lack of accessible foreign language materials for the blind. Although my brain felt confident in my knowledge of the legislative item, my stomach did not agree. I had to admit to the congressional staffer who met with us that I was nervous and her kind words helped to lessen my anxiety. I listened to my team members confidently speak about accessible technology, inaccessible instructional materials, and our opposition to H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017.

After that first Congressional appointment, our team leader eased my nerves and said that I did well. Her confidence in me followed me through my remaining appointments on the Hill. I felt as though I found my voice in those appointments thanks to the guidance and support of my great team from Illinois.

In three short days, we, the nation’s blind, confidently advocated to improve our lives. We worked diligently as a team throughout the Washington Seminar to educate ourselves and inform our elected officials about our barriers to information. With mentoring from our leadership, we, the nation’s blind, will live the lives we want.

Last month, the Newseum became the first US museum to host a major tactile art exhibit. “The Marines and Tet” exhibit, sponsored in part by the National Federation of the Blind, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive which was staged on January 31, 1968. This first-of-its-kind, interactive exhibit is comprised of twenty photos taken by John Olson during the Vietnam War, ten of which Olson’s company 3DPhotoWorks made into tactile renderings. The displays also include audio components made up of descriptions of the photos and interviews with the Marines featured in them reflecting on their experiences.

The importance of this exhibit extends beyond honoring these men and the Tet Offensive. It is hopefully the sign of a new day when tactile and interactive exhibits become the norm, rather than the exception. Not only does this enable blind and low-vision visitors to appreciate these exhibits, it enhances the experience for all visitors.

On January 30, 2018, the National Federation of the Blind hosted a reception to celebrate this first-of-its-kind exhibit. Here’s what some attendees shared on social media about the reception and the exhibit:

@kea_anderson said, “Super excited to be at the @Newseum for the first tactile photo exhibit I’ve ever been to. I also get to enjoy a reception with my @NFB_voice colleagues.”

@Slateandstylish said, “’This is our gift to the sighted.’ Thank you John Olson, @NFB_voice, and @Newseum for the gift of this exhibit! As a wife of a veteran, I can’t wait to experience this historical moment!”

Members of the Federation also attended the Newseum’s opening reception on January 25, 2018. As a sponsor of the exhibit, the National Federation of the Blind was invited not only to attend, but President Riccobono was asked to give some remarks during the program segment of the evening. Below you’ll find video of the opening reception program, photos from both receptions, as well as various stories from media outlets that covered the exhibit.

We encourage you to visit the exhibit and share your thoughts with us. It runs through July 8th, 2018. Learn more at www.newseum.org.

Release Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2018Category: NationalChris DanielsenDirector of Public RelationsNational Federation of the Blind(410) 659-9314, extension 2330(410) 262-1281 (Cell)cdanielsen@nfb.orgNational Federation of the Blind Receives Grant from National Science FoundationFive-Year Grant Will Allow Blind Youth to Explore Engineering and Yield Innovative Research in Informal Education

Baltimore, Maryland (February 13, 2018): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will allow blind students to explore the field of engineering and provide useful educational research.

Working with researchers from Utah State University and educators from the Science Museum of Minnesota, the National Federation of the Blind will gather blind high school students from across the country to attend weeklong summer programs called “NFB EQ” (Engineering Quotient). These programs will teach engineering through hands-on activities and connect students with blind adult mentors. The NFB and its partners will research the spatial abilities of blind youth and develop model practices and nonvisual tools to strengthen those abilities. Toolkits based on project activities will be produced so that other parents and educators will be able to use these practices.

Many blind people struggle with spatial skills and mental mapping. This is primarily because blind students do not have access to educational opportunities that foster the development of these skills. Among the STEM disciplines, engineering relies most heavily on spatial reasoning skills, so these programs will provide ample opportunities for students to utilize and strengthen them. This will help blind youth to develop engineering skills, prepare them for success in STEM fields, and strengthen their ability to travel independently with a white cane or guide dog.

“A combination of lack of knowledge about nonvisual techniques and society’s low expectations for the blind prevents too many blind youth from developing spatial reasoning skills and, if they desire, participating in engineering or other fields that use these skills,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We have dedicated significant resources to changing this unacceptable status quo, and we thank the National Science Foundation and our partners at Utah State and the Science Museum of Minnesota for helping us accelerate our progress and broaden our reach.”

“Since we know that spatial ability is such a strong indicator of success in STEM education and STEM professions, we need to understand how it is developed in our blind youth and how they utilize it in solving engineering problems,” said Dr. Wade Goodridge, Assistant Professor in Engineering Education at Utah State University. “We can then develop methods to leverage spatial thinking and help our students have better chances to succeed. My team seeks to develop nonvisual techniques to facilitate, motivate, and open pathways towards engineering, allowing blind youth to pursue a profession they may have previously thought was not within their reach. We hope to initiate a momentum that will enhance their engineering educational opportunities.”

“At the Science Museum of Minnesota, showing those who visit us and participate in our programs that we are all scientists is at the heart of what we do,” said Alison Rempel Brown, president of the Science Museum of Minnesota. “We’re so pleased to partner with the National Federation of the Blind and Utah State University to develop ways to bring engineering education to blind students and create new pathways to success in the STEM disciplines.”

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1712887. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

Baltimore, Maryland (February 13, 2018): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will allow blind students to explore the field of engineering and provide useful educational research.

Release Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2018Category: NationalChris DanielsenDirector of Public RelationsNational Federation of the Blind(410) 659-9314, extension 2330(410) 262-1281 (Cell)cdanielsen@nfb.orgNational Federation of the Blind Applauds United Airlines for Prudent Service Animal PolicyMajor air carrier’s policy on trained service animals remains unchanged

Baltimore, Maryland (February 6, 2018): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people, commends United Airlines for announcing that there will be no changes to its policies regarding travelers with dog guides and other service animals, as opposed to animals that may fit other categories.

“Blind people have worked for decades to make sure that dog guides are trained and managed in a manner that supports the equal treatment of blind people in public places,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “Every day, dog guides facilitate smooth and independent travel by the thousands of blind people who choose to use them, including my own wife. Unnecessary and burdensome notice and documentation requirements would have limited the independence of these travelers. We therefore thank United for continuing to recognize the qualifications of trained dog guides in its recently announced policy revisions, and we call on all other air carriers to adopt this same approach. We also urge United and the rest of the airline industry to engage with us to ensure that all aspects of the air travel experience, including in-flight entertainment and the use of mobile applications and websites, are accessible to blind people.”

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

Baltimore, Maryland (February 6, 2018): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people, commends United Airlines for announcing that there will be no changes to its policies regarding travelers with dog guides and other service animals, as opposed to animals that may fit other categories.

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. As we continue to raise expectations of and for the blind, we realize that we must actively work to empower the next generation of dynamic leaders and innovative thinkers that will dream, develop, and implement the next ground-breaking project or program that changes the lives of all blind people.

To that end, we must share our knowledge with young, motivated blind students as they travel their individual paths toward full participation. We seek to accomplish this goal through our National Federation of the Blind Summer Internship Program, a unique learning experience that can only be directed by the National Federation of the Blind.

Our National Federation of the Blind 2018 Summer Internship Program will provide an opportunity for individuals to contribute to the programs of the Federation, while gaining valuable experience at the center of innovation in the blindness field. Our 2018 summer interns will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of program areas including:

The National Federation of the Blind Summer Internship Program is like no other. It’s filled with unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, including the chance to work closely with National Federation of the Blind President Mark Riccobono. Our 2017 summer interns shared their thoughts at the end of their internship experience:

“As I reflect upon my experience as an intern at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), I think about how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside our organization’s leaders. While here, I had the opportunity to pursue personal projects that will make an impact in the lives of blind Americans. I grew personally and professionally this summer, and much of that growth is a result of participating in the NFB Internship Program. The knowledge and experience that I have gained will be invaluable as I continue my academic journey at Furman University and eventually law school.” — Kenia

“It is said that you receive just as much as you give and that was certainly true of this internship. It was very challenging in many ways, and I was always expected to give my best. However, the gains most certainly outweighed the sacrifices; I received much mentoring and guidance, both personally and professionally. I learned a lot about the Federation and how it is run which gave me a deeper appreciation for the organization which is the National Federation of the Blind. I am motivated more than ever before to take what I have been given during this internship and use it to go back home and continue to build the Federation.” — Lily

“As a member or elected leader of the National Federation of the Blind, we see how many things work, but as an intern at the Jernigan Institute, I was a part of making those things work. When I used to pick up my Brailled list of exhibitors at National Convention, I would look at it and leave it somewhere, but as someone who had to go through and staple multiple copies of those very lists, it gives me a greater appreciation of all the work that goes into even the little things. Getting to work so closely with our national leaders was truly an experience, and it was a privilege to be able to contact them and meet with them in person instead of always having to conference call them. This internship will surely give you an inside look into the organization, and teach you many things you never could’ve guessed.” — Vee

“When I applied for the 2017 Summer Internship program at the NFB, I really did not know what to expect. My goal was the learn more about the resources of the NFB at the national level; however, I learned so much more. Working at the NFB Jernigan Institute instilled in me a strong appreciation for all of the work that goes on behind the scenes, from the legislative initiatives to the preparation for the national convention and programs like NFB Youth Slam. The highlight of my summer was the week I spent at Towson University as a teaching assistant during NFB Youth Slam 2017. I could not have anticipated how rewarding it would be to work with so many excited young people from all over the country. If you are looking for a summer experience that you will never forget, I would encourage you to apply for an NFB Summer Internship. It all takes great effort from amazing people to make a difference. Are you ready?” — David

For more information about the 2018 NFB Summer Internship Program and to apply, visit nfb.org/internship.

Members of the National Federation of the Blind will host a reception at the Newseum to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Tet Offensive and celebrate a new exhibit, “The Marines and Tet: The Battle that Changed the Vietnam War.” This reception will honor John Olson’s work in the development of tactile fine arts printing and commemorate the sacrifices of the men in his photos. The exhibit features tactile renderings of the photos as well as audio interviews with some of the Marines shown in them. The audio is activated by touching sensors embedded in the tactile prints.

Special Guest: General Glenn M. Walters, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

When: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 program at 6:30 p.m., immediately followed by reception

RSVP’s appreciated but not required; email cdanielsen@nfb.org. If you cannot attend but wish to know more about the exhibit and/or the technology that allows blind people to access it, please contact us.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

Release Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2018Category: NationalChris DanielsenDirector of Public RelationsNational Federation of the Blind(410) 659-9314, extension 2330(410) 262-1281 (Cell)cdanielsen@nfb.orgNational Federation of the Blind Statement on Delta’s New Service Animal Policy

Baltimore, Maryland: (January 23, 2018): The National Federation of the Blind stated the following with regard to the new service and support animal policy announced by Delta Air Lines on January 19:

We are deeply concerned that Delta Air Lines has taken this action without consulting the National Federation of the Blind, our division the National Association of Guide Dog Users, or any other democratically elected representative of blind Americans. Blind people have safely and successfully used guide dogs for decades, but this policy fails to make a clear or practical distinction among guide dogs, other “service and support animals” (as Delta puts it), and pets. Onerous restrictions on guide dog handlers do not resolve anything and violate the principle of equal access for passengers with disabilities. Furthermore, we believe that elements of Delta’s policy, as currently articulated, violate the Air Carrier Access Act.

We are particularly troubled by the requirement that guide dog users submit paperwork to Delta forty-eight hours before flying. Travelers without guide dogs are not required to plan their travel forty-eight hours in advance. Furthermore, guide dog users will no longer be able to fly Delta in family, medical, or other emergencies. We believe that this forty-eight hour requirement is both unnecessary and unlawful.

We are asking for an urgent meeting with Delta and stand ready to work with it and other airlines to craft fair and reasonable policies to address the concerns of air carriers, their personnel, and their passengers, without imposing undue, unsupported, and unlawful hardships on guide dog users.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

The BrailleSense Polaris has received several updates since our initial blog post on the Polaris at the end of August. Math support has been added to the word processor, there are more details in the quick start, and significant improvements have been made to the performance of the Android side of things. While the interface hasn’t changed, it is now discussed in the quick start guide, and the whole experience feels much more fluid and snappy. Even so, there are still occasional stability problems when using Android apps and the reset process is still a nightmare, taking the unit back to a skeleton of the firmware, requiring a lengthy upgrade process to get back up and running. What is even more odd is that if you attempt to add a passcode to your device during initial setup, the upgrade won’t even start.

General Improvements

The Polaris has had many quality of life improvements across the board. These include adding the Android settings into the Polaris settings menu, letting a user close Android apps with space+Z as with other BrailleSense programs, refining network stability and more. Allowing one to exit Android apps is a big one, as they used to stay in the multi-tasking list until the task manager was opened and each app was removed from the list. Now, the Android apps are closed just like any other program or menu on the Polaris. It is also possible to press enter+I to access the App Info dialog for an Android app, where it is possible to view data and storage usage, configure notifications, etc.

Nemeth in the Word Processor

Another new feature of the Polaris is Math mode in the word processor. After pressing backspace+M, it is possible to enter math in either Nemeth or UEB math. The Polaris supports a full range of symbols, from basic operators, exponents, fractions, and even geometric and calculous functions. Pressing space+H will bring up a help menu with a categorized list of all the different symbols and their Braille dot combinations. However, there is no way to enter the symbols from this menu. Once math is entered, it will display properly when printed or transferred to a computer.

Using Android Apps

The area that has seen the biggest improvement is Android app usage. Using them is now mostly smooth and fluid. Using apps like YouTube, Google Music, Amazon, and many others works very well. Contracted Braille is also usable in Android apps, unlike in the initial version of the software. When playing media from apps like Netflix or YouTube, it is not possible to control playback with the media keys, meaning it is necessary to go back into the app to skip tracks or pause playback. While I experienced almost no lag when using apps, I did experience the occasional hard crash, requiring a full reboot by holding in the power button until the device powered off and back on. With some slight improvements in stability, the Polaris is shaping up to be a serious contender in the Android notetaker space.

Some Thoughts on the Polaris Android Interface

In the initial post on the Polaris, I had issues with the interface the Polaris uses for Android apps. After using the product more and thinking about the situation, I think I’ve figured out why the interface felt so awkward the first time I used it. If you’re familiar with Braille on iOS, Android with BrailleBack, or the BrailleNote Touch, the expected behavior is that the mobile interface is navigated with space+dot1 and space+dot4, which have traditionally been representative of the arrow keys. This is further reinforced both by the use of the same combinations for moving through documents, and the fact that both iOS and Android use the arrow keys on a Bluetooth keyboard to navigate around the interface. However, the Polaris uses the equivalent of the tab key—F3 or space+dot4+dot5. Space+dot1 and space+dot4 are still used to navigate in documents and within some lists, which makes things slightly more confusing. Having this information added into the quick start guide helps, but it is still necessary to learn another mobile interface. I still find myself pressing space+dot4 to move through an Android app at times, and still having that momentary confusion when nothing happens until I remember to use F3 instead.

Conclusion

The Polaris has seen significant improvements in the overall feature set and especially the stability and responsiveness of Android apps. However, there is still a way to go. I have been told they’re coming in the future, but features like native support for Exchange accounts, document formatting such as headings, lists, tables, and integrated file management between BrailleSense and Android apps are still not implemented. Given the progress that has been made so far, I am confident that these features will be added and the issues with stability and resetting will be remedied in the near future. I look forward to seeing what new features and options the Polaris will gain in the coming months.

Baltimore, Maryland (January 22, 2018): Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, has received one of the inaugural Autos2050SM awards. The awards are being presented by the Auto Alliance and the Alliance for Transportation Innovation.

President Riccobono is among twelve state and national political leaders and automotive innovators who will be honored at a dinner and awards presentation in Washington, DC on January 24. The new awards and dinner are part of the larger Autos2050SM event.

On October 25, 2017, the National Federation of the Blind and the Auto Alliance hosted a first-of-its-kind gathering of consumers with disabilities, auto representatives, ride-sharing providers, and policymakers. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the advances, challenges, and path forward for autonomous vehicle development. It was a key step in the ongoing conversation about how autonomous vehicles can be developed and deployed safely, while considering the needs of the 57 million Americans with disabilities.

On January 29, 2011, President Riccobono became the first blind individual to operate a vehicle independently. He navigated a course at Daytona International Speedway as a demonstration of how technology can allow the blind to drive.

“As much as I appreciate the honor of this award, its significance is greater than recognizing the National Federation of the Blind,” President Riccobono said. “It is also a sign that leaders in the automobile industry recognize the importance of incorporating the input of the blind as the next generation of automotive technology is designed. This gives us hope that new autonomous vehicles will provide a level of mobility and independence that the blind have never experienced before, enhancing our ability to live the lives we want.”

"The Autos2050 Driving Innovation Awards are designed to honor those who have made significant contributions over the past year,” said Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO, Auto Alliance. “Mark and the NFB have been tireless and effective advocates for the needs of the entire disability community in the ongoing national debate around the development of autonomous vehicles.”

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

Baltimore, Maryland (January 22, 2018): Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, has received one of the inaugural Autos2050SM awards. The awards are being presented by the Auto Alliance and the Alliance for Transportation Innovation.

All parents have questions and worries about their children, no matter how old their children get. Is she eating enough? Will these tantrums ever stop? Is he doing well enough in school? Will she ever be out of diapers? Is he really ready to have his own cell phone? Will everyone be safe on the road now that she’s driving?

Parents who are blind sometimes have additional questions—especially when they are expecting their first child or while their children are infants. How will I measure formula and medications? How will I be sure my baby is clean? Is there an easy way to keep matching outfits and socks together? What are the best car seats, strollers, or baby carriers to use? How will I keep track of my baby when he becomes mobile?

As a parent who happens to be blind, I enjoy talking to other parents and helping them find answers to their questions. I certainly do not know everything, and I certainly do not believe the ways my husband and I choose to do things are the best or only ways they can be done. However I do know I have parenting experience, and I am always happy to pass along my knowledge, support, and advice to others.

I was very lucky to have had parent mentors when my first child was born. My sister, who is also blind, was always willing to share techniques with me and my husband. Members of the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland were also ready to help. Parents on the NFB blind parent email list always patiently answered my questions.

During National Mentoring Month, the National Federation of the Blind is excited to revitalize our Blind Parent Mentoring Program. Whether you are looking for a parent mentor or willing to mentor a parent, we’d love for you to fill out our short parent mentoring form. Blind parents, expecting parents, foster parents, grandparents, and those interested in fostering or adopting children are welcome and encouraged to sign up.

Once you’ve filled out the form, someone from the National Federation of the Blind Blind Parent Initiative will contact you so that we can match you with a mentor or mentee as quickly as possible. Even if you have signed up to be a mentor in the past, we would appreciate it if you would fill out the form.